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RHYMES 



FROM A 



RECLINING CHAIR 



BY 



JAMES T. EDWARDS, D. D., LL. D. 



A CHRISTMAS SOUVENIR 



RANDOLPH, N. Y. 
1902 



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THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 


Two Copies 


R«ceived 


MAY 8 


1903 


Copyright 


Entry 


CLASS 


XXcNo. 


COPY 


B. 



Copyright, by James T. Edwards, 1902, 



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CONTEXTS 

Suiuise on Bam^at Bay, >* 

Water Lilies, *3 

To a Humming Bird, !> 

Our Boys and Giris, '7 

The Fred)00ter, >8 

The Young Color Bearer, ^9 

Chautauqua Lake, ^' 

Rrralnr of Tree> ar.; Flowrers, -J- 

Wreckage on L "; 5-3ch, -" 

The Wreck o: T::e AvRhire -9 

To Hon. Albert G. Dow, 5^ 

Law of Compensation, • ? * 

William McKJnlev, . . "a 

On the Conewango, ■ ^ 

Aliiage on New Jersey Coast, 3" 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Sunrise from Gulf Island, Barnegat Bay, lo 

Water Lilies, 12 

Ruby-throated Humming Birds, 14 

East Greenwich Seminary, R. I., . , . . . . . . . 16 

Chamberlain Institute, N. Y., 16 

McDonogh School, Md., 16 

Portrait — James T. Edwards, 16 

Portrait — Emma A. Edwards, 16 

Palestine Avenue, Chautauqua, 20 

Morning on Chautauqua Lake, 22 

Long Point, Chautauqua Lake, 23 

Leaves and Flowers in the Valley of the Saco, N. H., . . . 21; 

Wreckage on Long Beach, 26 

Francis Life Car, 28 

William McKinley — Portrait, 32 

Glimpse of the "Little Conewango," 34 

Shadows at " The Fishery," a Tributary to the Conewango, . 37 







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Sunrise from Gulf Island, Barnegat Bay. 



10 



SUNRISE ON BARNEGAT BAY. 

TN darkness and silence, close moored to the edge 
Of a low-lying isle, green covered with sedge. 
In our snug little boats we cosily lay. 
And eagerly waited the coming of day. 

The splash of an old-wife, just rising for flight. 
The whir of a broadbill, first herald the light. 
Hark ! The scream of a loon far out in the bay ! 
The shadows are flitting, 'twill soon be the day. 

A gunshot re-echoes from Love-Lady's Isle, 
The wild geese are coming, file following file ; 
Bald widgeons, and redheads fly high in the air. 
The sea-fog is lifting, our day will be fair. 

Faint outlines of beach and dim islands appear. 
Dark forms that were distant look now to be near ; 
Beyond the white sand dunes, weird ships seem to keep 
A phantom-like course o'er the shadowy deep. 

Yon tall, friendly lighthouse yields but a faint ray. 
The dawn is fast breaking, the night steals aw^ay ; 
Low in the far east, the red glow in the sky 
Grows steadily brighter, slow mounting on high. 

The fierce god of day his strong arm is bending. 
His javelins golden far upward is sending ; 
Bright o'er the smooth bay a broad pathway is seen. 
In crimson and amber and silvery sheen. 

Warmth stirs the cool air ; where the still waters glow 
Light ripples are forming, and soft breezes blow. 
From out the great sea bursts the radiant sun. 
Blue and gold arch the skies — glad day is begun. 




Water Lilies. 



WATER LILIES. 

TT^RAGRANT cedars encircle the ponds, 
Fringed the borders with feathery fronds ; 
Soft are the banks with mosses and vine. 
Silvered bv mist the lily-pads shine. 

The water with lovelv flowers is bright, 
A miracle wrought by morning light ; 
The sun has touched each bud with a kiss. 
Which wakes with answering smile of bliss. 

Exquisite in form, 'tis offering meet 
For the hand ot maiden pure and sweet ; 
Ivory white and fair as a dream. 
Like mystic lotus of Egypt's stream. 

With rosy tint such as sometimes dwells 
In the pearly folds of Eastern shells. 
Odors exhale from the heart of the flower 
Sweet as the fragrance in woodland bower. 

Buried in ooze, from darkness of night 
The buds have struggled up to the light ; 
Type ot brave souls that evermore shine. 
Spite ot all hindrance, with luster divine. 

In winter the lake, now gav with bloom. 
Frozen and still, is emblem of gloom ; 
But in its cold depths the flower buds lie 
Which soon will litt their chalices high. 

Faint heart, from the lilies learn to trust ! 
Thou art more than color, torm, or dust. 
No Force is lost, 'tis somewhere, alive ; 
Amid all change, the soul must survive. 

13 




Ruby-throated Humming Birds. 



14 



TO A HUMMING BIRD. 

\ IRY creature, full of grace. 

Poising on swift wings of lace. 
Ruby throat, with dust of gold. 
Emerald feathers manifold ! 
Scarce is beam of flashing light 
Swifter than thy arrowy flight. 

Cups of red and azure blue 
Hold thee amber drops of dew. 
Nectar sweet, through sunny hours 
Gathered from the fragrant flowers. 
Dainty thing of summer air. 
Art though bird or spirit fair ? 






i6 



OUR BOYS AND GIRLS. 

^ I "'HE swan I dreamed ! " cried sage of old, 
-■- When youthful Plato sought his fold ; 
He voiced the hope which teachers feel 
As through their minds fair visions steal 
Of boys and girls. 

With all the charm of ardent youth. 
And eager faces bright with truth. 
Immortal souls — rich jewels rare — 
They came to ask parental care. 
Our boys and girls. 

We deemed the task a sacred trust. 
And sought to be both kind and just, 
Rememb'ring that, such soil who sow. 
Plant harvests full ot weal or woe 
For boys and girls : 

To wake the music of the mind, 
With skillful touch each chord to find. 
To soothe the passions base to rest, 
And bring out all that's finest, best. 
In bovs and girls. 

There are who toil from love of gold. 
But some seek gems of worth untold. 
The grace of heart and culture true. 
Which give to life its value due 
For boys and girls. 

In home and ofHce, shop and mart, 
On sea and land they act their part, 
And striving well, still bear in mind 
That laws of right the two worlds bind. 
Our boys and girls. 

Sweet are the echos from the hills 
When twilight all the vallev fills. 
But sweeter far the words they send 
To cheer the heart of old time friend, 
These bovs and girls. 

Much loved are they who often meet 
In Mem'ry's halls, old friends to greet. 
And as they pass, these happv throngs. 
Of early days sing jovous songs. 
Dear bovs and girls. 

17 



THE FREEBOOTER. 

^"^ ? ?EX jT^rii ir.r "-.irshes t&r and wide, 
^^ Be^-tcmd tke bay's esscrooichmg dde. 
Dim o'er the meadows, cme maiT see 

A lounnded knoffl wiidi lonelv tree. 

11m andeiit cedar long has Uest 

Two ish-hawks wkfa safe place for nest. 
In sonithem dSmes they sometimes room. 
But these bitnd branches are their home. 

'Alid fiagrant bong^ they rear their young 
\^ isere peaceM nature finds a tongue : 
The lark's sweet song, the curlew's flute. 
The heron's call, the plover's lute. 

The fish-hawk from his eyrie flies. 
To sdl with food his fledgeling's cries ; 
The seagull's flight on jiearly wings 
Good news of prey by circling brings. 

Out where the bay seems flecked by rain 
He may with ease lus game obtain — 
Down strike the talons sure and swiii 
And quickly thence thdr quarry lift. 

But lo, a speck against the sky ! 
The bird retreats with latter cry ; 
An eagle comes in fierce pursuit : 
The hawk, in terror, drops his loot. 

On mighty wings the robber bold 
Sweeps down in cun'c with speed untold ; 
Then bears his booty far away 
To where his hungry eaglets stay. 

The eagle's motto, ** Might makes right,** 
Has bred, 'mong men, crimes black as night ; 
For shows, each age — deny, who can : 
** Man's inhumanity to man.*' 

i8 



THE YOUXG COLOR BIAREIL 

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Bcrr " : " : ' h^ Ms mi!«r« ]!«■»; .Tf^ 

'* KiircL*" eare 3ir ars" uncAer-'"'' iae Wat 



19 




Palestine Avenue, Chautauqua. 



CHAUTAUyUA LAKE. 

Dedicated to Bishop John H. Vincent. 

/CRYSTAL intaglio carving, with hills 

Like emerald gems, on the border set ! 
Its opaline play of bright coloring thrills 
And pensive musings its shadows beget. 

Ages ago 'ere man's lite had begun. 

Mighty glaciers sculptered the northern earth ; 

Then this beautiful lake, the child of the sun 
And the pure radiant ice, had its birth. 

Where light-hearted children now merrily roam. 
Among the tall trees and on verdant sod. 

The mound-builders once had their guarded home. 
And the feet of savages often have trod. 

These waters were cleft by the Frenchman's keel. 
While seeking to reach ** La Belle Riviere." 

In the West was soon heard the clashing of steel, 
The English and French in fierce rivalry there. 

Changed is all now save the sky, hills, and lake ; 

Instead of the war-cry, chime sweet bells of peace. 
Gone are the watch fires, the fagot and stake : 

And thus may all crime and cruelty cease. 

From these lovely slopes has shone a great light : 
The world has sent here her wisest and best. 

To banish with truth the shadows of night 
And give to all toilers sunshine and rest. 



From the lake to the sea and thus to all lands. 
So thoughts for healing like sweet waters flow. 

Chautauqua is pointing with fair loving hands 
To the skies of hope with their morning glow. 

Clear *' Lake of the Mist," with its storied shore ! 

RecaUing glad hours, we think with delight 
Of friends still with us and those gone before — 

The years cannot dim these memories bright. 




Morning on CHAUTAcauA Lake. 





Long Point, CHAUTAuauA Lake. 



23 



RIVALRY OF TREES AND FLOWERS. 

TiLIES white with queenlv air, 

Roses manifold and fair. 
Crimson pinks and pansies quaint, 
Cannas which no hand could paint. 
Tulips gav and orchids rare. 
How can leaves with these compare r 
Scented orchards pink and white. 
Bees' and orioles' delight ! 
All the fields have wealth of bloom. 
Clover blossoms, maize's plume. 
Buttercups like ** cloth of gold," 
Bluets shy and daisies bold. 
Hedge, wood and pasture showing. 
Bright and fragrant flowers growing. 

What is so fair as a dewy lawn. 
Sparkling with gems in the glowing dawn ? 
Or the green of willows round the bends. 
Where the crystal stream its water sends ? 
The mighty forest our spirit thrills. 
With its waves of verdure on the hills. 
Autumn changes the groves to bowers. 
Leaves become petals, the trees are flowers. 
Rich colors their gorgeous tints unfold, 
Robing the earth in crimson and gold. 

Tuberose and violet odors are rare. 
But the scent of the pines fills all the air, 
Spices and balsams exhale from the trees. 
Lindens and chestnuts allure the brown bees. 
Sweet is the perfume of mint and of bay. 
And the wafted fragrance of new-mown hay. 

24 




Trees and Flowers in the Valley of the Saco, N. H. 



Ferns like maiden's hair or lace, 
Trellised vines with flexile grace. 
Leaves so varied that all speech 
Fails their countless forms to teach, - 
Leaves, or flowers, which excel r 
Scarce could sage or artist tell. 



25 




TnjL$fi>^K} 



Wreckage on Long Beach. 



26 



WRECKAGE ON LONG BEACH. 

\ PEARL-WHITE seagull sits on a prow 
That never again the waves shall plow. 
Many brave vessels which sailed of yore 
Have strewn their wreckage along the shore. 

Broken they lie, mast, timbers and keel. 
Planking and keelson, with bolts of steel ; 
Pathetic relics, half buried in sands. 
Of noble ships from far away lands. 

These mournful symbols on lonely beach 
Their tragic lesson in silence teach. 
While voices deep from the billowy surge 
Chant, for the lost, perpetual dirge. 



27 




Francis Life Car. 



28 



THE WRECK OE THE AYRSHIRE. 

Suggested by the Original Francis Life-Car, Exhibited 
AT THE Pan-American Exposition. 

TT ZTLD waves have battered the famous old car. 

But its tale of rescue nothing can mar. 
Ah ! that first conflict, that death-daring strife. 
Wrung from fierce ocean the guerdon of life. 

In eighteen fifty, first month of the year, 
Tw^o hundred and one sailed in the Ayrshire. 
North of Barnegat Light, on dreaded Squan Beach, 
Where no open boat the victims could reach, 

The poor, helpless w^retches, shipwrecked, forlorn. 
Into the breakers were ruthlessly borne. 
'Twas then this stout car its first vict'ry won, 
And brought safe to land every soul save one. 

Honor to Francis ! he gave without fee 
His life-work to conquer the treacherous sea. 
His genius has girt our wave-beaten shore 
With safeguards of life unknown there before. 

Neither lighthouse nor beacon bears his name. 
No bust or monument heralds his fame ; 
But long as men traverse the sea in ships 
His name should gratefully dwell on their lips. 

And honor to those who battle to save ; 
They rival the soldier in conflict brave. 
There's nothing in song or story that lives 
Nobler than records the life service gives. 

In cold and darkness, through tempest and hail. 
Toil the life-savers, whose hearts never fail. 
Until Iqve of manhood on earth shall cease, 
We'll praise the brave surfmen, — Heroes of Peace. 

29 



TO HONORABLE ALBERT G. DOW, 
ON HIS 94th birthday. 

TLTAIL ! worthy son of " Granite State," 

The new-born babe of eighteen-eight ; 
Another cent'ry's open page 
Records that child the honored sage. 

With all the grace that manhood lends. 
With mem'ries sweet and hosts of friends. 
He notes the flight of passing years. 
While love dispels all gloom and fears. 

The rounded decades safely keep 
Past joys, and hopes, and sorrows deep. 
All that is found of toil and strife 
In that strange mystery — a life. 

Bright over birth and dying day 
Still shines that natal star, whose ray 
Led on the wise men of the East 
On infant Christ their eyes to feast. 

Immortal youth to us He brought, 
That prize for which the ages sought, 
DeLeon roamed the ** Land of Flowers," 
And mystic chemists spent their powers. 

When that time comes which waits us all. 
And gathering shadows round thee fall. 
Dear friend, may to thine ears be borne 
Glad angels' song — * 'Awake, 'tis morn ! " 



30 



LAW OF COMPENSATION. 

'np O those who seek truth, things seeming at strife 
Often reveal a great lesson of life : 

A chrysalis wrapped in its winding sheet ; 
A butterfly sipping the nectar sweet. 

An eagle imprisoned, away from light. 
Gathering new strength for a nobler flight. 

A pillow of stone ; a rapturous vision. 
Angels ascending to fields elysian. 

A Roman dungeon and Nero's dark frown ; 
A Christian martyr, a victor's bright crown. 

Beethoven, deaf to the music of time. 
Catching the strains of a heavenly chime. 

Majestic John Milton, with sightless eyes. 
Beholding the glories of Paradise. 

Through weakness and failure victories lie ; 
Struggle and pain help lift toward the sky. 

Sweet rest from labor, patience from sorrow. 
Watching in darkness ; joy on the morrow. 

Chastening bestowed by the hand of love 
Fits the pure spirit for mansions above. 

Through toil and trial to scenes supernal. 
From dreams of time to raptures eternal. 



31 



WILLIAM McKINLEY. 

\ SOLDIER brave when country's call 
Quick summoned men to hazard all ; 
Calm and serene amid alarms. 
The cannon's roar and clash of arms. 

In counsels swift to find a way 
That factious wrangling might allay. 
His lofty soul espoused the right. 
His w^ords were radiant with light. 

Lover of Peace ! When human woe 
Unsheathed the sword against the foe, 
'Twas Justice sped the mighty stroke. 
Which Cuba freed from Spanish yoke. 

Freedom's champion ! In the isles 
Of the far East, where summer smiles. 
His noble purpose men shall see. 
When they are happy, wise and free. 

He governed men by ruling self. 
Aspiring high and scorning pelf. 
With stainless manhood, kind and true. 
Faithful till death his work to do. 

When bitter grief held hearts in thrall. 

His was the calmest soul of all ; 

At peace with men, hfe's victory won. 

At rest with God ; — '* His will be done ! ' 

Heir to a bright, immortal fame ! 
Of this proud record to his name 
Robbed nevermore by adverse fate. 
Supremely wise, serene and great. 

33 



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Glimpse of the "Little Conewango." — Elm with Trunk near 
THE Ground Eighteen Feet Around. 



34 



ON THE CONEWANGO. 

'I T 7HILE countless shadows round us play. 

Upon this matchless autumn day. 
We float adown the opal stream 
As in some lovely, restful dream. 

Bright-tinted leaves are drifting past, 
The summer flowers are fading fast. 
But golden-rod and gentians rare 
Adorn the banks still green and fair. 

So clear the stream reflects the shore. 
We touch its image with our oar. 
And as we gaze with wond'ring eyes, 
A phantom boat beneath us lies. 

High, arching elms and cloudless sky. 
Gay flowers and birds seem floating by ; 
The shifting colors blending meet 
In the fair world beneath our feet. 

Dark crimson oaks, and birches white. 
Rich scarlet maples flecked with light. 
Tall golden aspens, all are seen. 
Mingled with pines and hemlocks green. 

O ** Winding River," fitting name ! 
Fair magic mirror, still the same 
As when, with grace, the Indian's boat 
Shot past the bends, round which we float. 



35 



MIRAGE ON THE NEW JERSEY 
COAST. 

TT^ROM couch of brown seaweed, cast up on the lea. 
We watch the grav mist drifting in from the sea ; 
Like weird '* merry dancers" of chill northern skies. 
Now slowly, now swiftly, the light vapor flies. 

The air appears throbbing with mystical life. 

The real and the fanciful mingle in strife ; 

While the thin mist floats w^estward over the land. 

The sand dunes seem changed by wizard's deft hand. 

There's magical power in the sea fog to-day. 
Red cedars are dancing Hke goblins at play. 
Quaint lighthouse and dwellings are lifted in air, 
Bayberries and hollies are transplanted there. 

Great ships with smoke plumes sail over the beach. 
As if some ^rial harbor to reach. 
White breakers glide upward in rvthmical dance. 
Gay yachts spread their sails in the cloudv expanse. 

The mirage has vanished, or have we but dreamed ? 
Strange and yet real the illusion has seemed. 
Bright sunshine illumines the ocean and shore. 
And phantoms will dazzle our vision no more. 

The far arching sky meets the blue of the wave. 
Soft musical ripples these green islands lave ; 
The cool sea wafts landward its life-giving wealth. 
And dowers the morning with beauty and health. 



36 



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Shadows at '"The Fishery" — A Tributary to the Conewango. 



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